This fear passed rapidly through the mind of the chevalier, but it would leave, for the future, an indelible mark; however, he reassured himself, little by little, at seeing the pretty widow do honor to the supper; she showed herself too fond of the pleasures of the table to be a spirit of darkness. The supper at an end, the three entered the drawing room, and Blue Beard said to the chevalier in a solemn voice, "To-morrow I will inform you on what conditions I will give you my hand; if you refuse them, you must leave Devil's Cliff. In order to give you a proof of my confidence in you I consent that you shall pass this night in the interior of this house, although I never accord this favor to strangers. Rendsoul will show you the rooms reserved for you." Saying this, the widow entered her own apartment. Croustillac remained absorbed in thought. "Ah, well, brother, how do you feel?" said the buccaneer. "What is your motive in addressing such a question to me? Is it sarcasm?" said the chevalier. "My motive is simply to know how you like our hostess." "Hum, hum--without wishing to detract from her, you must confess that she is a woman very difficult to estimate, at first sight," said Croustillac, with some bitterness. "You cannot be surprised if I consider the subject before I answer your question. To-morrow I will tell you my opinion, if I am able to answer, myself." "In your place I should not consider the subject," said the buccaneer. "I would accept, with eyes closed, all that she offered me, and I would wed her; for, by my faith, one cannot tell who will live or who die; tastes change with years. The days which succeed each other are dissimilar." "Ah, well, have done with your proverbs and parables," said the Gascon, exasperated. "Why do you not marry her yourself?" "I?" "Yes, you!" "Because I do not wish to die of laughter or have my eyes converted into lamps." "And do you think that I wish to do so?" "You?" "Yes; why should I more than you wish to see the devil sign my contract, as this woman playfully says?" "Then do not marry her; you are your own master; that is your lookout." "Certainly, it is my affair, and I will marry her if I choose! _Peste!_" exclaimed the chevalier, who began to fear that he was losing his wits by reason of this chaos of strange ideas. "Come, brother, be calm!" said the buccaneer; "do not worry yourself. Do you doubt I will keep my word? I have brought you to Devil's Cliff; the prettiest woman in the world offers you her hand, her heart and her treasures; what more would you have?" "I would understand all that has taken place, everything that has happened to me for the past two days, all that I have seen and heard to-night!" cried Croustillac, exasperated beyond bounds. "I would know if I am awake or dreaming."